Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Oct. 28, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations Macy's, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites and mobile applications under three brands (Macy's, Bloomingdale's and bluemercury) that sell a wide range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories (men's, women's and children's), cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods. The Company's operations are conducted through approximately 860 Macy's, Macy's Backstage, Bloomingdale's, Bloomingdale's The Outlet and bluemercury stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com. In addition, Bloomingdale's in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Al Zahra, Kuwait are operated under a license agreement with Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group, LLC. A description of the Company's significant accounting policies is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 (the "2016 10-K"). The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in the 2016 10-K. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainties, which may result in actual amounts differing from reported amounts. The Consolidated Financial Statements for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company. Seasonality Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 (which do not include the Christmas season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications were made to prior years’ amounts to conform to the classifications of such amounts in the most recent years. Comprehensive Income Total comprehensive income represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net income. For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 relate to post employment and postretirement plan items. Settlement charges incurred are included as a separate component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amortization reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (income) and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 4, "Benefit Plans," for further information. Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, effective January 29, 2017. This standard was issued to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment awards, including the income tax consequences, financial statement classification and forfeiture considerations of such awards. Upon adoption, the Company began to recognize, on a prospective basis, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense, respectively, in its Consolidated Statements of Income. For awards that were exercised, vested or expired during the 39 weeks ended October 28, 2017, approximately $12 million of additional income tax expense associated with net tax deficiencies was recognized. Additionally, these net tax deficiencies have been classified as an operating activity along with other income tax cash flows in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company has elected to adopt such presentation on a prospective basis.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Macy's, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites and mobile applications under three brands (Macy's, Bloomingdale's and bluemercury) that sell a wide range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories (men's, women's and children's), cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods. The Company's operations are conducted through approximately 860 Macy's, Macy's Backstage, Bloomingdale's, Bloomingdale's The Outlet and bluemercury stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com. In addition, Bloomingdale's in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Al Zahra, Kuwait are operated under a license agreement with Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group, LLC.

A description of the Company's significant accounting policies is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 (the "2016 10-K"). The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in the 2016 10-K.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainties, which may result in actual amounts differing from reported amounts.

The Consolidated Financial Statements for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.

Seasonality

Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 (which do not include the Christmas season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to prior years’ amounts to conform to the classifications of such amounts in the most recent years.

Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net income. For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 relate to post employment and postretirement plan items. Settlement charges incurred are included as a separate component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amortization reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (income) and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 4, "Benefit Plans," for further information.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, effective January 29, 2017. This standard was issued to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment awards, including the income tax consequences, financial statement classification and forfeiture considerations of such awards. Upon adoption, the Company began to recognize, on a prospective basis, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense, respectively, in its Consolidated Statements of Income. For awards that were exercised, vested or expired during the 39 weeks ended October 28, 2017, approximately $12 million of additional income tax expense associated with net tax deficiencies was recognized. Additionally, these net tax deficiencies have been classified as an operating activity along with other income tax cash flows in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company has elected to adopt such presentation on a prospective basis.